Remotely controllable inflatable system

ABSTRACT

Described is a remotely controllable inflatable system. The system includes a base having at least one blower and at least one remotely controllable drive wheel. Notably, an inflatable form is connected with and sealed against the base. Activating the at least one blower causes the inflatable form to inflate. A user can then use a remote-control transmitter to cause the base with inflatable form to drive upon a ground surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 63/272,119, filed on Oct. 26, 2021, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an inflatable system and, moreparticularly, to an inflatable system that includes a remotelycontrolled inflatable form that can be caused to traverse a surface.

(2) Description of Related Art

Remotely controlled vehicles have long been known in the art. Remotelycontrolled vehicles are typically built to mimic a vehicle or other itemand include a hard shell covering a base with wheels that are remotelyoperated via a remote control. While operable, such existing devices donot typically allow for expansion into larger shapes nor providerealistic motion when shaped like an alternative item (e.g., animal) asopposed to a vehicle. As such, existing remotely controlled vehicles arelimited in their motion and to the size in which they are packaged andshipped.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a new and improved remotelycontrolled item that is expandable to a desired shape while providing animproved realism while moving.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to an inflatable system that includesa remotely controlled inflatable form that can be caused to traverse asurface. In some aspects, the remotely controllable inflatable systemincludes a base having at least one blower and at least one remotelycontrollable drive wheel, with an inflatable form connected with andsealed against the base. Thus, activating the at least one blower causesthe inflatable form to inflate.

Further, the base includes two base platforms connected with one anothervia linkage, each base platform having a blower and a remotelycontrollable drive wheel.

In another aspect, the inflatable form is bi-pedal shaped with twodistinct legs, such that a distinct leg is attached with each of the twobase platforms.

In yet another aspect, each base platform includes a bottom surface andan angled back surface rising therefrom.

In another aspect, each base platform includes front and rear auxiliarywheels.

Further, the drive wheel is positioned at a juncture of the bottomsurface and angled back surface.

In another aspect, the inflatable form has an inflatable trailingportion that extends rearward from the inflatable form to prevent theinflatable from tipping backwards.

In another aspect, the system further comprises a remote-controltransmitter, the remote-control transmitter being operable foractivating the at least one blower and the at least one remotelycontrollable drive wheel.

In yet another aspect, one or more tension straps are connected withinthe inflatable form. The one or more tension straps are connected withinthe inflatable form at a rear high connection point and a front lowconnection point.

In another aspect, a heel is attached with each angled back surface,each heel having a wheel attached thereto.

In another aspect, an extension wheel is affixed with the angled backsurface between the driving wheel and rear auxiliary wheel.

In another aspect, the at least one remotely controllable drive wheelincludes two independently operated wheels that are affixed with thebase, the base being a single unit.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present inventionalso comprises a method for forming and using the invention as describedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspectsof the invention in conjunction with reference to the followingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1A is an illustration of an inflatable item in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention, depicting the inflatableitem in a deflated state;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of the inflatable item, depicting theinflatable item in an inflated state;

FIG. 1C is an illustration depicting an example remote control devicefor remotely controlling the inflatable item in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a bottom, elevated view illustration of a base in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a top, elevated view illustration of the base in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A a right, side-view illustration of the base in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention, depicting a right-sidebase component;

FIG. 3B a left, side-view illustration of the base in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention, depicting a left-side basecomponent;

FIG. 3C is an exploded-view illustration of the right-side basecomponent in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3D is an exploded-view illustration of the left-side base componentin accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a bottom-view illustration of the inflatable form inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention, depictingthe inflatable form alone with no base;

FIG. 4B is a bottom-view illustration of the inflatable form inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention, depictingthe inflatable form with a base attached thereto;

FIG. 4C is an illustration depicting the inflatable form being connectedwith the base;

FIG. 5 is a side-view illustration of the inflatable form and basesitting upon a ground surface;

FIG. 6A is a side-view illustration of the base moving forward upon aground surface to cause the inflatable form to rock backwards;

FIG. 6B is a side-view illustration of the base moving forward upon theground surface, depicting a rear portion of the inflatable formcontacting the ground surface to cause the inflatable form to liftupwards and rock forwards;

FIG. 6C is a side-view illustration of the base moving forward upon theground surface to cause the inflatable form to rock backwards;

FIG. 7A is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the driving wheels to rotate to move the inflatable form forwards;

FIG. 7B is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the driving wheels to rotate to move the inflatable form rearward;

FIG. 7C is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the driving wheels to spin, causing the inflatable form to rotatequickly right;

FIG. 7D is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the driving wheels to spin, causing the inflatable form to rotatequickly left;

FIG. 7E is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the left driving wheel to rotate to turn the inflatable formright;

FIG. 7F is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the left driving wheel to rotate and reverse the inflatable formin a left turn;

FIG. 7G is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the right driving wheel to rotate to turn the inflatable formleft;

FIG. 7H is an illustration depicting the remote-control being used tocause the right driving wheel to rotate and reverse the inflatable formin a right turn;

FIG. 8A is a bottom-view illustration of the base, depicting attachmentof a heel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a bottom-view illustration of the base, depicting attachmentof a heel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8C is a bottom-view illustration of the base, depicting the heel asattached to the base in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8D is a right, side-view illustration of the base and heel asdepicted in FIGS. 8A through 8C;

FIG. 8E is a bottom-view illustration of the base, showing an aspect inwhich the air intake can be opened to access and replace an air filter;

FIG. 9A is a bottom-view illustration of the base, depicting attachmentof a heel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9B is a bottom-view illustration of the base, depicting the heel asattached to the base in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9C is a right, side-view illustration of the base and heel asdepicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B;

FIG. 10A is a bottom-view illustration of the base, depicting attachmentof a heel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10B is a left, side-view illustration of the base and heel as shownin FIG. 10A, depicting an interior of the heel;

FIG. 10C is a right, side-view illustration of the base and heel asdepicted in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is an elevated ¾^(th) view illustration of an inflatable itemwith interior stabilization straps in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a front-view illustration of the inflatable item withinterior stabilization straps as depicted in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is a right-view illustration of the inflatable item withinterior stabilization straps as depicted in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11D is an elevated, ¾^(th) rear-view illustration with interiorstabilization straps of the inflatable item with interior stabilizationstraps as depicted in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11E is a rear-view illustration of the inflatable item withinterior stabilization straps as depicted in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a bottom-view illustration of a base in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a right-view illustration of the base as shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is an illustration of a base and an inflatable form inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a bottom-view illustration of the base as shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is an illustration of an inflatable form in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 14B is an illustration of a base that could accommodate theinflatable form as shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15A is an illustration of an inflatable form in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 15B is a bottom-view illustration of the inflatable form asdepicted in FIG. 15A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an inflatable system and, moreparticularly, to an inflatable system that includes a remotelycontrolled inflatable form that can be caused to traverse a surface. Thefollowing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in thecontext of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as avariety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein maybe applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present inventionis not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the presentinvention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limitedto these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in orderto avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which arefiled concurrently with this specification and which are open to publicinspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papersand documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the featuresdisclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims,abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features servingthe same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state“means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing aspecific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step”clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. Inparticular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is notintended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom,forward, reverse, clockwise and counter-clockwise have been used forconvenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particularfixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locationsand/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

As noted above, the present disclosure is directed to an inflatablesystem that includes a remotely controlled inflatable component that canbe caused to traverse a surface. More specifically and as shown in FIGS.1A through 1C, the inflatable system 100 includes an inflatable form 102attached to a base 104 and a separate remote-control device 106 that canbe used to initiate inflation of the inflatable form 102 (in someaspects) and control motion of the base 104. As shown between FIGS. 1Aand 1B, the inflatable form 102 is adapted to selectively inflate andtransition from a deflated state to an inflated state. Once inflated,the remote-control device 106, shown in FIG. 1C, can be used remotelycontrol the base 104 and cause the base 104 and attached inflatable form102 to drive around or otherwise traverse a surface. Further details areprovided below.

The base 104 is any suitable mechanism or device that includes all ofthe necessary components to receive remote commands from theremote-control device 106 and cause the inflatable form 102 to traversea surface. Further, the base 104 also includes all of the necessarycomponents to inflate the inflatable form 102. A non-limiting example ofsuch a base 104 is depicted in FIGS. 2A through 3D.

In one aspect and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the base 104 can beconfigured to include a left base platform 200 and a right base platform202 fixedly connected with each other via a bar 206 or other linkagecomponent. Further and as shown in the figures, the base 104 includesone or more drive wheels 204, 212. In the non-limiting example asdepicted, the base 104 includes two drive wheels 204, 212, each of whichis operably connected with a motor and independently controllable. Forexample and as shown in FIGS. 7A through 7H, a user can use the remotecontrol 106 to independently control each drive wheel and cause theattached inflatable form 102 to turn left, turn right, move forward,reverse, and spin as desired. Thus, the remote-control transmitter(shown in FIG. 1C) includes all of the necessary components to remotelycontrol the base 104 and the attached inflatable form 102. For example,in addition to a wireless transmitter and any other necessarycomponents, the remote control 106 includes two control levers 110 and112, an inflate button 108, and a deflate button 108 a (e.g., to reversethe blower fan and cause the blower to suck the air out of theinflatable form 102).

In one aspect and as depicted, pressing (or pushing) both control leversforward causes the wheel in each base platform 200 and 202 to rotate ina similar manner to move the base forward (as shown in FIG. 7A).Alternatively, pulling both control levers 110 and 112 backwards causesthe base 104 to reverse (as shown in FIG. 7B).

As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art and as depictedthroughout the figures, moving the control levers 110 and 112 inopposite directions causes the corresponding wheels 204, 212 to rotatein opposite directions and spin the base 104 with the attachedinflatable form 102 (as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D). For example, in FIG.7C, by moving the left control lever 110 up and the right control lever112 down, the left base wheel 204 moves forward and the right base wheel212 moves backward, causing the base 104 and the attached inflatableform 102 to spin in a quick right. Similarly, in FIG. 7D, by moving theleft control lever 110 down and the right control lever 112 up, the leftbase wheel 204 moves backward and the right base wheel 212 movesforward, causing the base 104 and the attached inflatable form 102 tospin in a quick left.

In another aspect, as shown in FIGS. 7E-7H, the control levers can beoperated independently to cause the base 104 and the inflatable form 102to move in various directions. For example, by moving the left controllever 110 up, the corresponding left wheel 204 rotates forward, the base104 and the inflatable form 102 turns right, as shown in FIG. 7E.Furthermore, by moving the left control lever 110 down, thecorresponding left wheel 204 rotates backward, the base 104 and theinflatable form 102 reverses in a left turn. Similarly, by moving theright control lever 112 up, the corresponding right wheel 212 rotatesforward, the base 104 and the inflatable form 102 turns left, as shownin FIG. 7G. And, as shown in FIG. 7H, by moving the right control lever112 down, the corresponding right wheel 212 rotates backward, the base104 and the inflatable form 102 reverses in a right turn.

In a desired aspect, the base 104 includes one or more blowers that areremotely controlled such that, when activated, blow air and inflate theinflatable form 102. In the multi-platform base, as shown, each platformhas its own air intake and blower to inflate the attached inflatableform 102. The blowers include motors and fans (or any other necessarycomponents) to blow air into and inflate the inflatable form 102. Itshould be noted that the blowers can be operated using any suitablemechanism, technique, or device. For example, the controller 106 andbase 104 are programmed such that after the controller 106 pairs withthe base 104, the controller 106 sends a signal to the base 104 to causethe base 104 to activate the blower and associated fan and inflate theinflatable form 102. In one aspect, the fan will remain activated duringuse unless instructed to turn off. For example, the controller 106includes an inflate button 108. At any time during inflation, a user canhold the inflate button 108 on the controller 106 for a predeterminedamount of time (e.g., five seconds) to turn the fan off. The user canthen hold the inflate button 108 again to start the fan again as neededin the event that the inflatable form 102 has deflated below a desiredlevel.

In another desired aspect, the base 104 further includes mechanism fordeflating the inflatable form 102 after use such that the user maydeflate the system for storage. For example, the controller 106 mayinclude a deflate button 108 a, which can communicate via radio signalwith the base 104. The base 104 includes necessary components to deflatethe inflatable form 102 by sucking out air.

In another desired aspect, the controller 106 may include otherfunctions remotely operable function for controlling the movement of thebase 104 and the inflatable form 102. In addition, controller 106 mayinclude any suitable sound functions to accompany the character of theinflatable form 102. For example, roaring sounds for a dinosaur, roaringsounds of a gorilla, creepy moving sounds of a monster, engine sound ofa vehicle, dance music for a fun character, etc.

The inflatable form 102 can be shaped in any desirable shape,non-limiting examples of which include bipedal objects such as adinosaur, a monster, or any objects with two feet. Furthermore, theinflatable form can also include non-bipedal objects, such as a shark, avehicle, etc. The inflatable form 102 is affixed with the base 104 usingany suitable mechanism or device that secures the form 102 against thebase 104 while retaining air within the inflatable form 104. As anon-limiting example, a plastic ring can be used that screws to the base104, trapping the fabric with an air-tight seal against the base 104such that a hole in the base 104 is open to the blowers while sealedelsewhere. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates a bottom view of theinflatable form 102, showing the hole 400 with no base 104 attached;whereas FIG. 4B illustrates the base 104 as attached with the inflatableform 102 to be operable for blowing air through the hole 400 filling theinflatable form 102. For further understanding, FIG. 4C illustrates theinflatable form 102 as being connected to the base 104. As shown, theinflatable form 102 is attached to the base 104 by aligning the holes400 in the feet with the cover plates 402. The inflatable form 102 isthen fastened into position when the cover plates 402 are screwed on orotherwise affixed to the base 104. In other words, the inflatable form102 is sandwiched between the cover plates 402 and base 104, therebyaffixing the inflatable form 102 against the base 104.

The base 104 can be formed in any shape as desired to allow forinflation and control of the inflatable form 102. As noted above, thebase 104 can be configured to include a left base platform 200 and aright base platform 202 fixedly connected with each other via a bar 206or other linkage component. An advantage to such distinct platforms isthat they can be separately connected with an inflatable form 102 thatincludes legs (e.g., such as a bipedal figure). In this aspect, eachbase platform 200 or 202 is connected with a leg, thereby adding to therealism as the inflatable item is caused to traverse a surface. The bar206 in this case is necessary to ensure that the two base platforms 200and 202 operate together as opposed to spinning separately when thedrive wheel in each base platform 200 and 202 is activated. Each baseplatform 200 and 202 is formed to affix with and support a correspondinginflatable form 102 part. For example, when the form is shaped as adinosaur with two legs, each leg is affixed with one of the baseplatforms 200 and 202. In this aspect and as described above, each baseplatform 200 and 202 has its own remotely controllable drive wheel andblower.

In another aspect of the invention, the bar 206 is a single continuousrigid bar. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the bar 206 canbe a collapsible bar or rod, whereby the distance between the left baseplatform 200 and the right base platform 202 can be reduced for storage.

Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the base platforms 200 and202 can include front and rear auxiliary wheels 300 and 302. The frontauxiliary wheels 300 freely roll and assist the base 104 in rollingacross a surface. Alternatively, the rear auxiliary wheels 302 (whichalso freely rolls), in conjunction with the angled back surface 304, areused to provide a realistic rocking motion while preventing theinflatable item from tipping over. This aspect is described in furtherdetail below with respect to FIGS. 5 through 6C.

As noted above, in some aspects, the base 104 can be shaped to allow fora rocking motion of the inflatable form 102 while in operation to imparta realistic movement as if the animal was walking or moving. For exampleand as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the base 104 has a bottom surface 306with an angled back surface 304 rising therefrom. As shown in FIG. 5 ,the angled back surface 304 and its rear auxiliary wheel 302 provides arear angle 500 between the rear auxiliary wheel 302 and ground surface502 that allows for the rocking motion of the inflatable form 102. Itshould be noted that although the base 104 is illustrated with an angledback surface 304, the base 104 in other aspects can be formed such thatthe bottom surface is substantially flat such that the driving wheelsand auxiliary wheels 300 and 302 are substantially aligned with theground surface. However, when devised with an angled back surface 304and as shown in FIG. 6A, when driving forward 600, the forward motion ofthe base 104 causes the top of the inflatable form 102 to rock back 602which also tips the base 104 backwards. When the angled back surface 304(or the trailing portion 604 of the inflatable form 102) contacts theground surface 502, the resulting pushback force 608 from the groundsurface 502 causes the inflatable form 102 to rock forward 610 (as shownin FIG. 6B). This process is repeated (as shown in FIG. 6C) as theinflatable system is driven, thereby creating the rocking motion of theinflatable form 102. As referenced above, the trailing portion 604 ofthe inflatable form 102 extends rearward beyond the base 104 to preventthe inflatable form 102 from tipping over backwards when drivenforwards. Thus, while the angled back surface provides a hard stop fromrocking backwards, the trailing portion 604 in effect provides the stopby engaging with the ground surface 502 and reversing the momentum ofthe inflatable form 102 before the base 104 tips too far backwards andthe angled rear surface engages with the ground surface 502. In oneaspect, at rest, the inflatable form 102 is formed such that thetrailing portion 604 rests between one inch and six inches from theground surface 502.

Desirably, the driving wheels 204, 212 are placed at the junction of thebottom surface and angled surface, thereby allowing the rocking motionabout a pivot point that is centered on the axis or axle of the drivingwheels 204, 212. As noted above, the front 300 and rear 302 auxiliarywheels are affixed with the base 104 to allow the base 104 to roll andbe driven smoothly when the respective auxiliary wheel is in contactwith the ground surface 502.

Referring again to FIG. 5 , it should be noted that the angle 500 can beadjusted to create a more or less dynamic rocking action. In someaspects, the base 104 with the angled back surface 304 is created andprovided to the consumer in its final form. In another aspect, the backsurface 304 is adjustable (e.g., through a hinge or other mechanism) toallow the user to adjust the angle 500 and the resulting rocking motionwhen driving the inflatable system.

Thus, as can be appreciated, there are several variations to the base104 that can be implemented to allow for operation of the remotelycontrolled inflatable system. Nevertheless, before describing additionalembodiments, provided in FIGS. 3C and 3D is an exploded view of anon-limiting example of a base (i.e., the left 200 and right 202platforms) in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention. The table below includes part labels that are coordinatedwith the left 200 and right 202 base platforms as illustrated in FIGS.3C and 3D.

Right Base Platform 202 No. Part Label  1 Motor cover  2 Motor for fan 3 Fan upper cab  4 Turbine  5 Fan lower cab  6-1 Left front cab  6-2Right rear cab  7 Bottom cab  8 Fan cover  9 Auxiliary wheel 10 Wheelcover 11 PVC ring 12 Ring cover 13 Tire 14 Wheel inner 15 Axle 16 Wheelouter 17-1 Wire cover left 17-2 Wire cover right 18-1 Left rear cab 18-2Right front cab

Left Base Platform 200 No. Part Label 19 PVC ring 2 20 Bottom cab 2 21Ring cover 2 22 Middle bar up 23 Middle bar bottom 24 Battery cover 25Rechargeable battery 26 Main Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 27 LED 28 USBplug 29 Switch cover 30 USB cover 31 Gear box up 32 Gear 1 33 Gear 2 34Gear 3 35 Gear 4 36 Gear 5 37 Gear 6 38 Gear support 39 Motor for wheel40 Motor cover 41 Gear box bottom

Although a specific example of a remotely controllable inflatable systemis illustrated and described above, it should be understood that theinvention is not intended to be limited thereto as both the base andinflatable form can be shaped to accommodate a variety of designs andshapes. For example and as noted above, one aspect of the inflatableform 102 includes a trailing portion 604 that prevents the inflatableform 102 from tipping over while being operated. However, other aspectsare created that do not include such a trailing portion 604. In suchaspects, the base 104 and other components of the inflatable system canbe modified to prevent the inflatable form 102 from tipping over.

To decrease the rear angle or otherwise prevent the base 104 andinflatable form 102 from tipping forward/backward, a heel can be addedto the back portion of the base 104 to lengthen its ground contactprofile by having a rear auxiliary wheel that is proximate the groundsurface. In one aspect, the heel can be integrally formed with the baseto include the rear auxiliary wheel that is proximate the groundsurface. In another aspect and as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D, the heel800 can be separately formed to connect with the base 104 and bring therear auxiliary wheel 302 closer to the ground surface 502. For example,the original rear auxiliary wheel 302′ can be lifted and placed into theheel 800 or, in another aspect, the heel 800 simply covers the originalrear auxiliary wheel 302′. In the aspect as shown, a separate heel 800is affixed with each of the left 200 and right 202 platforms of the base104. For further understanding, FIGS. 8B through 8C depict the heel 800as affixed with the base. Notably, FIG. 8D depicts a side-viewillustration of the base 104 (i.e., the right platform 202), showing howthe heel 800 brings the rear auxiliary wheel 302 closer to the groundsurface 502 to decrease the rear angle 500 and minimizing any tilting orrocking motions. Although a slight rear angle 500 is depicted, oneskilled in the art can appreciate that the heel 800 can be formed alittle longer (as an extension as depicted or integrally formed with thebase) such that there is no rear angle 500 and all wheels are alignedwith the ground surface 502. The heel 800 as depicted in FIGS. 8Athrough 8C is U-shaped to provide sufficient rearward support while notobscuring the air intake 804 that is necessary for the blowers toinflate the inflatable form or to remove air after use. In some aspectsand as shown in FIG. 8E, the base 104 can be formed to include acleanable air vent 810. For example, the air intake can be formed with ahinged door 812 that can be opened to allow users to clean out the airvent 810 to remove hair, string, dirt, etc., that can be sucked into theair intake 804 while in use. The air vent 810 can be a thin mesh vent orother item that is operable for catching and filtering debris.

An alterative heel 900 design is shown in FIGS. 9A through 9C. As shown,the heel 900 in FIGS. 9A through 9C similarly is post-shaped to bringthe rear auxiliary wheel 302 closer to the ground surface 502, while notobscuring the air intake 804 from lateral air draw or removal.

Yet another heel 1000 design is shown in FIGS. 10A through 10C. In thisaspect, the heel 1000 is U-shaped to provide a strong and stable basewhile not obscuring the air intake 804. Notably, the heel 1000 is formedwith a cavity 1002 that passes to air apertures 1004 to allow air toeasily flow through the air apertures 1004 and out the cavity 1002 to bedrawn into the air intake 804. As shown in FIG. 10B, the rear auxiliarywheel 302 can be moved to the periphery of the heel 1000. In someaspects and as shown in FIG. 10C, the heel 1000 (and/or base 104) can beformed such that the rear auxiliary wheels 302, driving wheels 204, 212,and front auxiliary wheels 300 are substantially aligned with the groundsurface 502 to minimize rocking motions and decrease the likelihood thatthe inflatable form will tip forward or backward.

In some aspects, additional features can be included with the inflatablesystem to further maintain stability of an upright inflatable form. Inother words, inflatable forms without a trailing portion (e.g., a tail)to stabilize the form may often fall over in a direction of force. Thetrailing portion not only keeps the inflatable form upright and preventsit from falling backwards, it also weighs the unit down in the back (asa counter-weight) which helps stabilize the unit from fallingfrontwards. However, not all inflatable forms are created with atrailing portion. For example, FIGS. 11A through 11E depict a bipedalinflatable form 102 without a trailing portion. Also depicted areseveral enhancements that allow the inflatable form 102 to stay uprightwithout requiring a large physical interior post that would keep theinflatable form 102 standing, but not allow the user to deflate andstore the unit.

To stabilize bipedal characters (i.e., the inflatable form 102) frombending at the ankle and falling in the direction of force, two interiorstraps 1100 are attached to the base 104. Note that the heel 1000 can beany heel as described herein, or any combination or variation thereof.The heel 1000 levels out the angled base 104 so it has solid flatfooting. In one aspect, the heel 1000 attaches to the base 104 unit byextending the threaded intakes so that a screw can fasten it to theexisting holes created in the original base 104 unit. Desirably, theheel 1000 attachment is designed to not cover the fan air intake vent(depicted as element 804 in FIGS. 8A through 10C).

The interior tension straps 1100 (e.g., formed of fabric, etc.) helpcreate tension between two points internally so that the unit will havea strong inertia to withstand a change in velocity. The idea being thata strap cut to exact size will be taut enough to stabilize the bipedalcharacter (i.e., inflatable form 102). Being made from fabric allows theunit to deflate as intended. The straps 1100 being internal also keepsthe long pieces of fabric (i.e., the straps 1100) from being tangledaround a consumer or by the tires of the base 104.

The taut tension straps 1100 connect from a low connection point 1102 onthe inflatable form 102 (e.g., sewn or otherwise adhered to the front,such as to the front of the feet of the inflatable form 102) and isconnected at an angle to a high connection point 1104 on the oppositeside of inflatable form 102 (e.g., the rear, such as the back orshoulder area of the inflatable form). Both of these additions aredesired to stabilize a bipedal inflatable form 102 without a trailingportion and keep it from falling over. The tension straps 1100 can beaffixed anywhere to assist the inflatable form 102 in maintaining anupright position when in operation. For example and as noted above, thestraps 1100 can be sewn, glued or otherwise affixed to the highconnection point 1104. Further, the straps 1100 can be affixed at thelow connection point 1102 to the inflatable form, or by hooking thestraps 1100 to the base 102 (such as via an elastic strap connected to ahook on the base, or via any other technique).

As noted above, the base 104 and inflatable form 102 can be modified toaccommodate a variety of features. For example and as shown in FIGS. 12Aand 12B, the base 104 can be modified to include an intermediateextension wheel 1200. The extension wheel 1200 is formed at varyingheights to extend out from the bottom angled surface 304. Notably, theinclusion of the extension wheel 1200 can be used to slow the backwardrocking of a bi-pedal inflatable form to assist in preventing the formfrom tipping backwards. The extension wheel 1200 can be used in place ofa heel, or in conjunction with the heel, or any combination thereof.

As yet another aspect and as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the base 104can be formed in a single unit (as opposed to multiple platforms asshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). In this aspect, the driving wheels 204 arewithin the single and same base 104. As noted above, the inflatable form102 can be affixed with the base using any mechanism, technique ordevice, a non-limiting example of which includes the strap 1400 and pullstrings 1402 as shown in FIG. 13A. In this example, a bottom open end ofthe inflatable form wraps around the strap 1400. The pull strings 1402are used to tighten the form 102 around the strap 1400. Thereafter, thestrap 1400 can be clipped together (via a clip 1406) and affixed withina channel 1404 formed in the base 104.

It should be noted that the base 104 can also be formed to include asingle remotely powered driving wheel 204 (e.g., forward/turn inreverse). For example, the single driving wheel 204 can be mounted inthe center of the base 104 to allow for forward motion and turn inreverse motion. Alternatively, the base 104 can be equipped with twowheels (one on the left and one on the right). Each wheel can beoperated independently with separate motors or with a single motor, suchthat a user can control the base by moving it forward, backward, orspin.

As noted above and as illustrated throughout, the inflatable form 102can be formed in a variety of shapes. A non-limiting example of such ashape is a shark inflatable form 102, as shown in FIG. 14A. Such ananimal-shaped inflatable form 102 has a mouth shape 1400. Thus, in someaspects and as shown in FIG. 14B, the base 104 can be formed with amovable component 1402 that operates with the inflatable form 102 to addadditional realism to the inflatable form while in operation. As anon-limiting example, the movable component 1402 can be a hinge that isgeared or otherwise formed to open and close, thereby appearing as amouth. When the mouth shape 1400 of the inflatable form 102 is affixedwith the movable top hinged part (i.e., movable component 1402), theitem can be operated in a manner to appear as if the mouth is openingand closing. Thus, in this aspect, the base 104 can be formed with anycomponents as necessary to allow for operation of the movable component1402. As a non-limiting example, the top hinged part can be geared withthe wheels and/or axle or other components such that as the toy drivesforward, the top hinged part opens until reaching a top, then dropsclosed. This can be accomplished with a partial gearing or teeth on theaxle and hinged part and then a space in the teeth that allows the tophinged part to slip and appear to close. This configuration would causethe inflatable form 102 to appear as if the mouth shape 1400 opens andcloses when the toy is accelerated forward.

In yet another aspect, the inflatable form 102 can be in a shape of avehicle as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. In this aspect, the inflatableform 102 can be attached with any base 104 that is appropriately shapedand configured to operate with the vehicle-shaped inflatable form 102with tire portions 1500. As a non-limiting example, the base 104 couldbe formed with the left 200 and right 202 platforms as described above,with the tire portions 1500 affixed with the relative platform 200 and202 to provide actual driving features proximate the tire portions 1500and enhance the realism of the inflatable system. Thus, as canappreciated, there are a variety of applications in which the inflatablesystem in accordance with the present disclosure can be implemented.

Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of severalembodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognizethat the invention may have other applications in other environments. Itshould be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible.Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scopeof the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. Inaddition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke ameans-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, anyelements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, arenot intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if theclaim otherwise includes the word “means”. Further, while particularmethod steps have been recited in a particular order, the method stepsmay occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remotely controllable inflatable system,comprising: a base, the base having at least one blower and at least oneremotely controllable drive wheel; an inflatable form connected with andsealed against the base, whereby activating the at least one blowercauses the inflatable form to inflate.
 2. The remotely controllableinflatable system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base includes twobase platforms connected with one another via linkage, each baseplatform having a blower and a remotely controllable drive wheel.
 3. Theremotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 2, whereinthe inflatable form is bi-pedal shaped with two distinct legs, such thata distinct leg is attached with each of the two base platforms.
 4. Theremotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 3, whereineach base platform includes a bottom surface and an angled back surfacerising therefrom.
 5. The remotely controllable inflatable system as setforth in claim 4, wherein each base platform includes front and rearauxiliary wheels.
 6. The remotely controllable inflatable system as setforth in claim 5, wherein the drive wheel is positioned at a juncture ofthe bottom surface and angled back surface.
 7. The remotely controllableinflatable system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the inflatable formhas an inflatable trailing portion that extends rearward from theinflatable form to prevent the inflatable from tipping backwards.
 8. Theremotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 7, furthercomprising a remote-control transmitter, the remote-control transmitterbeing operable for activating the at least one blower and the at leastone remotely controllable drive wheel.
 9. The remotely controllableinflatable system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising one ormore tension straps connected within the inflatable form.
 10. Theremotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 9, whereinthe one or more tension straps are connected within the inflatable format a rear high connection point and a front low connection point. 11.The remotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 4,further comprising a heel attached with each angled back surface, eachheel having a wheel attached thereto.
 12. The remotely controllableinflatable system as set forth in claim 5, further comprising anextension wheel affixed with the angled back surface between the drivingwheel and rear auxiliary wheel.
 13. The remotely controllable inflatablesystem as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one remotelycontrollable drive wheel includes two independently operated wheels thatare affixed with the base, the base being a single unit.
 14. Theremotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe inflatable form is bi-pedal shaped with two distinct legs, such thatthe two distinct legs are attached with the base.
 15. The remotelycontrollable inflatable system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the baseincludes a bottom surface and an angled back surface rising therefrom.16. The remotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim15, wherein the drive wheel is positioned at a juncture of the bottomsurface and the angled back surface.
 17. The remotely controllableinflatable system as set forth in claim 15, further comprising a heelattached with the angled back surface, the heel having a wheel attachedthereto.
 18. The remotely controllable inflatable system as set forth inclaim 15, further comprising an extension wheel affixed with the angledback surface between the driving wheel and a rear auxiliary wheel. 19.The remotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 1,wherein the base includes front and rear auxiliary wheels.
 20. Theremotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe inflatable form has an inflatable trailing portion that extendsrearward from the inflatable form to prevent the inflatable from tippingbackwards.
 21. The remotely controllable inflatable system as set forthin claim 1, further comprising a remote-control transmitter, theremote-control transmitter being operable for activating the at leastone blower and the at least one remotely controllable drive wheel. 22.The remotely controllable inflatable system as set forth in claim 1,further comprising one or more tension straps connected within theinflatable form.
 23. The remotely controllable inflatable system as setforth in claim 23, wherein the one or more tension straps are connectedwithin the inflatable form at a rear high connection point and a frontlow connection point.